Datawiz-IN: Summer Research Experience for Health Data Science Training.

Background: Good science necessitates diverse perspectives to guide its progress. This study introduces Datawiz-IN, an educational initiative that fosters diversity and inclusion in AI skills training and research. Supported by a National Institutes of Health R25 grant from the National Library of Medicine, Datawiz-IN provided a comprehensive data science and machine learning research experience to students from underrepresented minority groups in medicine and computing. Methods: The program evaluation triangulated quantitative and qualitative data to measure representation, innovation, and experience. Diversity gains were quantified using demographic data analysis. Computational projects were systematically reviewed for research productivity. A mixed-methods survey gauged participant perspectives on skills gained, support quality, challenges faced, and overall sentiments. Results: The first cohort of 14 students in Summer 2023 demonstrated quantifiable increases in representation, with greater participation of women and minorities, evidencing the efficacy of proactive efforts to engage talent typically excluded from these fields. The student interns conducted innovative projects that elucidated disease mechanisms, enhanced clinical decision support systems, and analyzed health disparities. Conclusion: By illustrating how purposeful inclusion catalyzes innovation, Datawiz-IN offers a model for developing AI systems and research that reflect true diversity. Realizing the full societal benefits of AI requires sustaining pathways for historically excluded voices to help shape the field.

Prevalence and incidence of tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in chest diseases hospitals, Bangladesh: Putting infection control into context.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of tuberculosis infection (TBI). We estimated the prevalence and incidence of TBI and risk factors among HCWs in Bangladeshi hospitals to target TB infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions. METHODS: During 2013-2016, we conducted a longitudinal study among HCWs in four chest disease hospitals. At baseline, we administered a questionnaire on sociodemographic and occupational factors for TB, tuberculin skin tests (TST) in all hospitals, and QuantiFERON ®-TB Gold in-Tube (QFT-GIT) tests in one hospital. We assessed factors associated with baseline TST positivity (induration ≥10mm), TST conversion (induration increase ≥10mm from baseline), baseline QFT-GIT positivity (interferon-gamma ≥0.35 IU/mL), and QFT-GIT conversion (interferon-gamma <0.35 IU/mL to ≥0.35 IU/mL). We included factors with a biologically plausible relationship with TBI identified in prior studies or having an association (p = <0.20) in the bivariate analyses with TST positivity or QFT-GIT positivity in multivariable generalized linear models. The Kaplan-Meier was used to estimate the cumulative TBI incidence rate per 100 person-years. RESULTS: Of the 758 HCWs invited, 732 (97%) consented to participate and 731 completed the one-step TST, 40% had a positive TST result, and 48% had a positive QFT-GIT result. In multivariable models, HCWs years of service 11-20 years had 2.1 (95% CI: 1.5-3.0) times higher odds of being TST-positive and 1.6 (95% CI 1.1-2.5) times higher odds of QFT-GIT-positivity at baseline compared with those working ≤10 years. HCWs working 11-20 years in pulmonary TB ward had 2.0 (95% CI: 1.4-2.9) times higher odds of TST positivity, and those >20 years had 2.5 (95% CI: 1.3-4.9) times higher odds of QFT-GIT-positivity at baseline compared with those working <10 years. TBI incidence was 4.8/100 person-years by TST and 4.2/100 person-years by QFT-GIT. Females had 8.5 (95% CI: 1.5-49.5) times higher odds of TST conversion than males. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalent TST and QFT-GIT positivity was associated with an increased number of years working as a healthcare worker and in pulmonary TB wards. The incidence of TBI among HCWs suggests ongoing TB exposure in these facilities and an urgent need for improved TB IPC in chest disease hospitals in Bangladesh.

Interpretation of molecular detection of avian influenza A virus in respiratory specimens collected from live bird market workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh: infection or contamination?

OBJECTIVES: Interpreting real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) results for human avian influenza A virus (AIV) detection in contaminated settings like live bird markets (LBMs) without serology or viral culture poses a challenge. METHODS: During February-March 2012 and November 2012-February 2013, we screened workers at nine LBMs in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to confirm molecular detections of AIV RNA in respiratory specimens with serology. We tested nasopharyngeal (NP) and throat swabs from workers with influenza-like illness (ILI) and NP, throat, and arm swabs from asymptomatic workers for influenza virus by rRT-PCR and sera for seroconversion and antibodies against HPAI A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) viruses. RESULTS: Among 1273 ILI cases, 34 (2.6%) had A(H5), 56 (4%) had A(H9), and six (0.4%) had both A(H5) and A(H9) detected by rRT-PCR. Of 192 asymptomatic workers, A(H5) was detected in eight (4%) NP and 38 (20%) arm swabs. Of 28 ILI cases with A(H5) or A(H9) detected, none had evidence of seroconversion, but one (3.5%) and 12 (43%) were seropositive for A(H5) and A(H9), respectively. CONCLUSION: Detection of AIV RNA in respiratory specimens from symptomatic and asymptomatic LBM workers without evidence of seroconversion or virus isolation suggests environmental contamination, emphasizing caution in interpreting rRT-PCR results in high viral load settings.

A brief note on the potential of homo-oligo-dsDNA and hetero-oligo-dsDNA based on their binder-free electrochemical characteristics on gold electrode.

In this fundamental research, we found that homo-oligo based dsDNA holds potential electrochemical characteristics in comparison to hetero-oligo based dsDNA which can be exploited in voltammetric and impedimetric biosensors. We prepared a homo-oligo based dsDNA from 20 deoxyribonucleotides of adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine (A20, G20, C20, and T20 respectively) and a hetero-oligo based dsDNA from two partially complementary oligos (5'-TTT TTT CAT CTA TCA ACA TCA GTC TGA TAA GCT ATA GAA GC-3' and 5'-TTT TTT ATA GCT TTG ATA GA-3'. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1 mM 0.1 M K3[Fe(CN)6]/KCl showed that Au working electrode modified with hetero-oligo based dsDNA (Au/hetero-oligo-dsDNA) was more resistive toward charge transfer of Fe(CN)63-/4- compared to Au working electrode modified with homo-oligo based dsDNA (Au/homo-oligo-dsDNA). Additionally, cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry showed that Au/homo-oligo-dsDNA produced quantifiable anodic and cathodic peak currents which were not observed for Au/hetero-oligo-dsDNA. Nyquist and Bode plots derived from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy on three different electroactive areas (0.0705, 0.0747 and 0.0837 cm2) of Au working electrode showed no significant change in the capacitive behavior of Au/homo-oligo-dsDNA and Au/hetero-oligo-dsDNA in a linear range of frequency (10-100 Hz).

Effect of switching ultrasonic amplitude in preparing a hybrid of fullerene (C60) and gallium oxide (Ga2O3).

In this study, we proposed 'switching ultrasonic amplitude' as a new strategy of applying ultrasonic energy to prepare a hybrid of buckminsterfullerene (C60) and gallium oxide (Ga2O3), C60/Ga2O3. In the proposed method, we switched the ultrasonic amplitude from 25% to 50% (by 5% amplitude per 10 min, within 1 h of ultrasonic irradiation) for the sonochemical treatment of a heterogeneous aqueous mixture of C60 and Ga2O3 by a probe-type ultrasonic horn operating at 20 kHz. We found that compared to the conventional techniques associated with high amplitude oriented ultrasonic preparation of functional materials, switching ultrasonic amplitude can better perform in preparing C60/Ga2O3 with respect to avoiding titanium (Ti) as an impurity generating from the tip erosion of a probe-type ultrasonic horn during high amplitude ultrasonic irradiation in an aqueous medium. Based on SEM/EDX analysis, the quantity of Ti (wt.%) in C60/Ga2O3 prepared by the proposed technique of switching ultrasonic amplitude was found to be 1.7% less than that prepared at 50% amplitude of ultrasonic irradiation. The particles of C60/Ga2O3 prepared by different modes of amplitude formed large (2-12 µm) aggregates in their solid phase.Whereas, in the aqueous medium, they were found to disperse in their nano sizes. The minimum particle size of the as-synthesized C60/Ga2O3 in an aqueous medium prepared by the proposed method of switching ultrasonic amplitude reached to approximately 467 nm. Comparatively, the minimum particle sizes were approximately 658 nm and 144 nm, using 25% and 50% amplitude, respectively. Additionally, Ga2O3 went under hydration during ultrasonic irradiation. Moreover, due to the electron cloud interference from C60 in the hybrid structure of C60/Ga2O3, the vibrational modes of Ga2O3 were Raman inactive in C60/Ga2O3.

Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks in detecting cancer biomarkers.

Following the efficient performance of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as recognition elements in gas sensors, biosensors based on MOFs are now being investigated to capture and quantify potential cancer biomarkers, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), nucleic acids and proteins. The current status of MOF-based biosensors in the detection of early stages of cancer is in its infancy, although it has significantly emerged since the beginning of this decade. That said, salient research has been conducted in the past five years to utilize the distinctive porous crystalline structure of MOFs for highly sensitive and selective detection of cancer biomarkers. In this pursual, MOFs designed with bimetallic assembly, doped with magnetic nanoparticles, coated with polymers, and even conjugated with peptides or oligonucleotides have shown promising outcomes in detecting CTCs, nucleic acids and proteins. In particular, aptamer-conjugated MOFs are able to perform at a lower limit of detection down to the femtomolar, implying their efficacy for the point of care testing in clinical trials. In this way, aptasensors based on aptamer-conjugated MOFs present a newer sub-branch, to be coined as a MOFTA sensor in the current review. Considering the emerging progress and promising outcomes of MOFTA sensors as well as a variety of MOF-based techniques of detecting cancer biomarkers, this review will highlight their significant advances and related aspects in the recent five years on the context of detecting CTCs, nucleic acids and proteins for the early-stage detection of cancer.

Sono-nano chemistry: A new era of synthesising polyhydroxylated carbon nanomaterials with hydroxyl groups and their industrial aspects.

The main objective of this review is to derive the salient features of previously developed ultrasound-assisted methods for hydroxylating graphene and Buckminsterfullerene (C60). The pros and cons associated to ultrasound-assisted synthesis of hydroxy-carbon nanomaterials in designing the strategical methods for the industrial bulk production are also discussed. A guideline on the statistical methods has also been considered to further provide the scopes towards the application of the previously reported methods. Irrespective of many useful methods that have been developed in order to functionalize C60 and graphene by diverse oxygenated functional groups e.g. epoxide, hydroxyl, carboxyl as well as metal/metal oxide via a combination of organic chemistry and sonochemistry, there is no report dealing exclusively on the application of ultrasonic cavitation particularly to synthesising polyhydroxylated carbon nanomaterials. On this context, this review emphasizes in investigating the critical aspects of sono-nanochemistry and the statistical approaches to optimize the variables in the sonochemical process towards a large-scale synthesis of polyhydroxylated graphene and C60.

Ultrasonic treatment of glassy carbon for nanoparticle preparation.

Glassy carbon particles (millimetric or micrometric sizes) dispersions in water were treated by ultrasound at 20kHz, either in a cylindrical reactor, or in a "Rosette" type reactor, for various time lengths ranging from 3h to 10h. Further separations sedimentation allowed obtaining few nanoparticles of glassy carbon in the supernatant (diameter <200nm). Thought the yield of nanoparticle increased together with the sonication time at high power, it tended to be nil after sonication in the cylindrical reactor. The sonication of glassy carbon micrometric particles in water using "Rosette" instead of cylindrical reactor, allowed preparing at highest yield (1-2wt%), stable suspensions of carbon nanoparticles, easily separated from the sedimented particles. Both sediment and supernatant separated by decantation of the sonicated dispersions were characterized by laser granulometry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, and Raman and infrared spectroscopies. Their multiscale organization was investigated by transmission electron microscopy as a function of the sonication time. For sonication longer than 10h, these nanoparticles from supernatant (diameter <50nm) are aggregated. Their structures are more disordered than the sediment particles showing typical nanometer-sized aromatic layer arrangement of glassy carbon, with closed mesopores (diameter ∼3nm). Sonication time longer than 5h has induced not only a strong amorphization (subnanometric and disoriented aromatic layer) but also a loss of the mesoporous network nanostructure. These multi-scale organizational changes took place because of both cavitation and shocks between particles, mainly at the particle surface. The sonication in water has induced also chemical effects, leading to an increase in the oxygen content of the irradiated material together with the sonication time.

Functionalized fullerene (C60) as a potential nanomediator in the fabrication of highly sensitive biosensors.

Designing a biosensor for versatile biomedical applications is a sophisticated task and how dedicatedly functionalized fullerene (C60) can perform on this stage is a challenge for today and tomorrow's nanoscience and nanotechnology. Since the invention of biosensor, many ideas and methods have been invested to upgrade the functionality of biosensors. Due to special physicochemical characteristics, the novel carbon material "fullerene" adds a new dimension to the construction of highly sensitive biosensors. The prominent aspects of fullerene explain its outstanding performance in biosensing devices as a mediator, e.g. fullerene in organic solvents exhibits five stages of reversible oxidation/reduction, and hence fullerene can work either as an electrophile or nucleophile. Fullerene is stable and its spherical structure produces an angle strain which allows it to undergo characteristic reactions of addition to double bonds (hybridization which turns from sp(2) to sp(3)). Research activities are being conducted worldwide to invent a variety of methods of fullerene functionalization with a purpose of incorporating it effectively in biosensor devices. The different types of functionalization methods include modification of fullerene into water soluble derivatives and conjugation with enzymes and/or other biomolecules, e.g. urease, glucose oxidase, hemoglobin, myoglobin (Mb), conjugation with metals e.g. gold (Au), chitosan (CS), ferrocene (Fc), etc. to enhance the sensitivity of biosensors. The state-of-the-art research on fullerene functionalization and its application in sensor devices has proven that fullerene can be implemented successfully in preparing biosensors to detect glucose level in blood serum, urea level in urine solution, hemoglobin, immunoglobulin, glutathione in real sample for pathological purpose, to identify doping abuse, to analyze pharmaceutical preparation and even to detect cancer and tumor cells at an earlier stage. Employing fullerene-metal matrix for the detection of tumor and cancer cells is also possible by the inclusion of fullerene in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) known as peapods as well as in double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs), to augment the effectiveness of biosensors. This review discusses various approaches that have been reported for functionalizing fullerene (C60) derivatives and their application in different types of biosensor fabrication.

Household environmental conditions are associated with enteropathy and impaired growth in rural Bangladesh.

We assessed the relationship of fecal environmental contamination and environmental enteropathy. We compared markers of environmental enteropathy, parasite burden, and growth in 119 Bangladeshi children (≤ 48 months of age) across rural Bangladesh living in different levels of household environmental cleanliness defined by objective indicators of water quality and sanitary and hand-washing infrastructure. Adjusted for potential confounding characteristics, children from clean households had 0.54 SDs (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06, 1.01) higher height-for-age z scores (HAZs), 0.32 SDs (95% CI = -0.72, 0.08) lower lactulose:mannitol (L:M) ratios in urine, and 0.24 SDs (95% CI = -0.63, 0.16) lower immunoglobulin G endotoxin core antibody (IgG EndoCAb) titers than children from contaminated households. After adjusting for age and sex, a 1-unit increase in the ln L:M was associated with a 0.33 SDs decrease in HAZ (95% CI = -0.62, -0.05). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that environmental contamination causes growth faltering mediated through environmental enteropathy.

Aflatoxin contamination in food commodities in Bangladesh.

During September 2009, we performed a rapid cross-sectional study to investigate the extent of aflatoxin contamination among common Bangladeshi foods. We collected eight common human food commodities (rice, lentils, wheat flour, dates, betelnut, red chili powder, ginger and groundnuts) and poultry feed samples from two large markets in each of three cities in Bangladesh. We quantified aflatoxin levels from pooled subsamples using fluorescence high-performance liquid chromatography. Aflatoxin levels were highest in dates and groundnuts (maximum 623 and 423 ng/g), respectively. Samples of betelnut (mean 30.6 ng/g), lentils (mean 21.2 ng/g) and red chili powder (>20 ng/g) also had elevated levels. The mean aflatoxin level among poultry feed samples was 73.0 ng/g. Aflatoxin levels were above the US maximum regulatory levels of 20 ng/g in five of eight commonly ingested human food commodities tested.